2 Vehicles Reported Stolen, 3 Burglarized In Darien: Police

DARIEN, CT — Two vehicles were stolen, and three others burglarized, in Darien over the past week, as the town continues to grapple with a rash of vehicle break-ins, as reported by Darien police.

In all five instances, the vehicles were left unlocked, said police.

On May 31, a gray 2009 Toyota Matrix was reported stolen from a residence on Mansfield Avenue, according to authorities.

"The reporting party stated that a vehicle was taken from her driveway," wrote police in a statement. "She had limited information regarding the vehicle and the incident itself, as she is not the owner of the vehicle and does not use it. The reporting party stated that the vehicle is owned by her ex-husband. The vehicle is used by different family members, all of whom were verified not to have taken it."

When the vehicle was last seen in the driveway on the 31st, and the victim stated that "the vehicle was kept unlocked, and the keys were always left inside the vehicle."

Police canvassed the neighborhood, but no residents reported any suspicious activity. The investigation is ongoing.

On June 3, a white 2013 Land Rover Range Rover was reported burglarized at a residence on West Avenue, according to police.

"The victim stated that on 06/03/2017 at around [7:30 a.m.], he noticed his vehicle, a 2013 Range Rover, had been entered," wrote police. "He stated his vehicle's center console and glove compartment were open, and the vehicle doors were shut. He stated the last time he saw his vehicle was on 06/02/2017 at around [9:30 p.m.], at that time his vehicle was undisturbed. The victim seemed to think the vehicle was left unlocked."

Stolen from the glove compartment were two pairs of Ray-Ban sunglasses, each worth $285, and the investigation remains ongoing.

"There was no visible damage to the interior or exterior of the vehicle. A neighborhood canvass was conducted by officers, with negative results."

Also on the 3rd, a gray 2015 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was reported stolen from the driveway of a home on Henry Street but was recovered, according to police.

"[The victim] stated she last saw her vehicle parked in her driveway near the garage on 06/02/2017 at approximately 11 p.m.," wrote police. "On 06/03/2017 at approximately 7:30 a.m., she came out of her house and discovered that her vehicle was missing. The victim stated that her vehicle had been unlocked and she had a set of spare vehicle keys in the locked center console. She gave an estimated value for the pickup truck of $50,000."

Darien police contacted the OnStar service to help locate the vehicle, and the service activated the tracking system and was able to locate the stolen motor vehicle parked on Plattsville Road in Norwalk.

"The Norwalk Police Department was notified and responded to the area, where the vehicle was located. Darien PD Detectives responded to the stolen vehicle and processed it for evidence. The vehicle was subsequently returned to the owner. The investigation is ongoing."

A gray 2011 Lexus ES was reportedly broken into on June 3 at a home on Charles Street, said Darien police.

"The victim stated on 06/03/2017, at around [8 a.m.], her boyfriend told her that when he went outside to the driveway, he noticed that her vehicle, a 2011 Lexus, had been entered," wrote police. "Her boyfriend noticed all 4 doors and trunk lid were ajar. The victim checked her vehicle and noticed a cream color canvass tote bag with blue straps was missing from the vehicle's rear passenger seat. She stated the canvass bag has a 'Shumway Capital' stitching on it. She stated that the canvass bag contained a Kate spade purse, Tori Birch reading glasses, a set of house keys, business documents and bills. She stated she parked her vehicle in the driveway on 06/03/2017 at approximately [12:30 a.m.] and that her vehicle was unlocked."

According to the victim, the estimated value for the canvass bag was $80, the Kate Spade purse:$100, the Tori Birch reading glasses: $150, the house keys: $20. No value was given for the business documents and bills.

"There was no visible damage to the interior or exterior of the vehicle. A neighborhood canvass was conducted by officers with negative results. The investigation is ongoing."

And finally on June 4, a blue 2016 Acura MDX was reportedly burglarized at a residence on Miles Road, according to police.

"The victim stated that she believes her change purse was removed from her unlocked vehicle during the overnight hours, sometime between last Saturday, 5/27/2017 and today's date (6/4/17)," wrote police. "The victim described her change purse as being small, off-white, and made of plastic with a black zipper. She estimated the change purse contained close to ten dollars ($10) in loose change. She said she last saw her change purse in the car on Sat 5/27/2017 and did not think much of it or notice it gone during the week."

When the woman heard of the recent car burglaries in the neighborhood, she noticed that the purse was gone, said police.

"The victim stated that she often leaves her car unlocked, and was advised to not do so in the future. A neighborhood canvass conducted, with negative results. The investigation is ongoing."

Patch file photo